IM and WGM Nazi Paikidze-Barnes won the U10 European Youth (Girls) Championship in 2003, the U12 European Youth (Girls) Championship in 2005 and the U14 European Youth (Girls) Championship in 2007. She also won the U14 World Youth (Girls) Chess Championship in 2007 and the U16 World Youth (Girls) Chess Championship in 2008. In 2008 Paikidze won the U16 European Youth (Girls) Championship. In 2010 she won the Moscow Open section C (Women's section). She won both the US Chess Championship (Women) (2016) and the US Championship (Women) (2018).

PhilFeeley: <tpstar> Yes, the comments of Susan Polgar agreeing with the author's attack on Paikidze are typical of her.

The author states:
<Yes, forcing women to do something — in this case, wear a hijab — is deplorable. Considering Iran’s stance on human rights issues, the problem becomes even more revolting. However, boycotting one event will not change a policy that has been around for almost half a century or change an entire country’s views on the way religion should be integrated into everyday life.>

"almost half a century" Really? Such a long time! Boycotts often get started over small things and grow to large proportions because a company or society dig in their heals and flaunt their stupidity (in this case also "oppression").

I completely disagree with Polgar and the author. A boycott says more than acquiescing to arbitrary rules by petty dictators.

Iranians have plenty of opportunities to compete. They send teams to the Olympiad, they go to international tournaments, they can (and do) play online. They don't lack for competition.

OhioChessFan: <PF: Boycotts often get started over small things and grow to large proportions because a company or society dig in their heals and flaunt their stupidity (in this case also "oppression").>

Boycotts work where the exchange of ideas is welcomed. A seed planted on fertile soil may grow a crop. I don't see Iran as fertile soil for the philosophical thoughtfulness of this boycott.

tpstar: <PhilFeeley> I have mixed feelings about this controversy. I applaud these players making a stand on principle, as missing a World Championship event opportunity is a real sacrifice. Simultaneously, I am skeptical about social media protests bringing forth any palpable results, especially in a closed society like Iran. The outcry is very similar to several top players missing the 2004 FIDE tournament in Libya over their choice of venue, except professional chess is continually desperate for sponsorship.

Freedom of speech allows this writer to voice her opinions without being reflexively demonized as a hater out to "attack" Paikidze or anyone. That is the point, right?

pawn to QB4: <boycotting one event will not change a policy that has been around for almost half a century or change an entire country’s views on the way religion should be integrated into everyday life.>> Susan Polgar is quite wrong to say that the entire country of Iran has a view on the way religion should be integrated into everyday life. I've met Iranians who regard their leaders as a fairly horrible set of bullies and the religious leaders as hypocrites into the bargain, as they drive around a poor country in their imported Mercedes. Wearing the hijab certainly isn't something all Iranian women want to do.
And isn't Polgar setting up a straw man here, that the object of Paikidze's boycott is to change the custom of the country? I read it as simply that she's not prepared to put on a hijab and in doing so bow her head to that Iranian law. Good for her.

I appreciate that I risk Godwin's Law here, but I'll risk it. In the early days of Hitler's regime, the England football (soccer to you guys) team played in Germany. The players were told, by British officialdom, to show respect by making the Hitler salute before the game. It was many many years before people, players and fans, forgot the shame of what they did. None of them had the guts to refuse, as, presumably, Ms Paikidze and anyone else with a bit of moral courage, would have refused. To make obeisance to a custom of another country, when you hate what that custom stands for? Should never happen.

HeMateMe: I shared a house with a number of people in college, one who was an Iranian exchange student. He lived none of that lifestyle, no mosque, had his girlfriend sleep over, treated her as an equal.

He said there was an Iranian student on campus who was the sort of resident KGB, the guy who would report back to the country if the exchange students were doing anything politically against Iran. I do think this one guy came from money, though, so he may never have been a victim of the Shah's secret police. It was that time in history. His affable personality might have been much different, otherwise.

I once saw a woman on campus with the complete hijab/hibab, robe, head covered and black veil, black from top to bottom. I don't know if she was from Iran or a different country. I hope she took pride in it. I thought it must be like Hel, especially in hot weather.

UncleBent: Yasser and Maurice commented on Paikidze's lacklust performance in the, just-concluded, US Women's Championship. She got more than her share of good fortune, but was unable to capitalize. And with very little tournament play since the Olympiad, and with no plans to play in the immediate future, I wonder if she is/will be a chess-playing professional.

waustad: Her membership here is a lot like that of Alejandro Ramirez. A couple of posts while very young and nothing afterwards. I've seen similar actions from Fabiano Caruana on another site. Perhaps they come to the conclusion that they should only write publicly when they are paid.

Fluffy: Let's please not start yet one more tired thread that jabs at her name. You must know she was named after her grandmother and it means "gentle" in their language. And yes, I do note the irony of her name's meaning with the more well-known definition in the history books.

I prefer to focus on congratulating her championship win. You're welcome to join in.

UncleBent: Does Nazi plan to play any more chess -- outside of the US Women's Championship? Before last month, she had not played an OTB game since last June. I assume she will play in this summer/fall's Olympiad, but, then again, maybe not. Does anyone know anything about her business? Is it chess-related?

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